A significant redevelopment project has been given the green light to transform a long-empty retail unit in the heart of Wolverhampton, promising to inject new life into the city centre.
Council Approves Major City Centre Investment
City of Wolverhampton Council has approved plans to convert the former Sports Direct store on Queen Street into a new 52-bed hotel and a gym. The sportswear giant vacated the premises in 2021 when it relocated to a flagship store within the nearby Mander Centre.
Planners for the local authority welcomed the proposals, describing them as a "significant investment" that will improve the "vitality and viability" of the city centre. A council report acknowledged that a hotel in this location was an "unusual use" but concluded it was not inappropriate, as it would utilise a large vacant space, create jobs, and attract investment.
New Retail Units and Job Creation
The ground floor of the building will be completely reconfigured, subdivided from one large unit into five smaller retail spaces. Council planners stated that this move aims to offer a more affordable mix of units, making them more appealing to future occupants and bringing the vacant ground floor back into active use.
According to the planning application submitted by Opinder Singh Gulati of Easy Group Management Ltd, the new hotel is expected to create 12 new jobs. The application argues that the development will deliver much-needed visitor accommodation, support the local economy by attracting tourists and business visitors, and revitalise an existing structure sustainably.
Building Facelift and Regeneration Goals
The project also includes modern enhancements to the building's exterior, with plans to replace its current "dated" facade. A separate planning application to formally convert the ground floor into the five retail units has also been approved.
In statements supporting the applications, it was emphasised that the project aligns with the city's broader regeneration objectives. Officials believe the development will increase footfall on Queen Street, enhance the area's visual appeal, and provide flexible, affordable commercial space to support local enterprise.
The approval, granted in December 2025, marks a concrete step in repurposing a prominent empty building, with the goal of creating a more dynamic and economically resilient city centre for Wolverhampton.
